Grave marker



March 2, 1943.

W. H. H. ZENTMYER GRAVE MARKER Filed Feb. 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a i' lllll Inventor V WW U/WE 15. zefif/fijer ZENTMYER GRAVE MARKER Filed Feb. 4, 1942 W. H. H

March 2, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor WEE 26/77 6 Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAVE MARKER William H. H. Zentmyer, Rothsvillc, Pa. Application February 4, 1942, Serial No. 429,543

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in grave markers, and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for receiving and preserving various records, a photograph of the deceased, et cetera.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a grave marker of the aforementioned character Which is adapted to rest fiat on the grave.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a grave marker of the character described which Will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

.All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a grave marker constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of an end portion of the marker, showing the hinged cover for the photograph in open position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in cross-section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially oval plate I of bronze or other suitable metal. The plate I is recessed into the upper portion of a substantially correspondingly shaped concrete slab 2, said plate including a raised ornamental marginal portion 3. As shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawing, the concrete slab 2 is provided with rounded marginal portions.

The upper portion of the plate I has formed integrally therewith a chamber 4 which is recessed in the slab 2, said chamber constituting a vault for the reception of any desired records of the deceased and his or her family, et cetera. The chamber 4 includes a closure 5 in the form of a plate of suitable material which is countersunk in the plate I.

Surrounding the chamber 4 in spaced relation to the edges of the closure 5 is a substantially rectangular frame 6 of angular cross-section. The frame 6 is for the reception of a photograph I of the deceased and a glass 8 through which said photograph may be observed. The frame 6 includes a removable member 9 which facilitates insertion of the photograph I and the glass 8 from one end of said frame. Screws I0 detachably secure the frame member 9 to the plate I.

Hingedly mounted on the plate I, adjacent the other end of the frame 6, is a cover II for the glass 8 and the photograph I. In the embodiment shown, the cover II is in the form of a representation of a tree leaf. The pivoted end of the cover II is provided with eyes I2 which are journaled on a substantially U-shaped bracket or the like I3 which projects from the plate I.

Also mounted on the plate I is a plate I4 on which may appear the name of the deceased, the date of birth, death, et cetera, as at I5. The plate It is substantially square and said plate has its corner portions apertured to accommodate securing screws It.

It is thought that the manner of using the marker will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the slab 2 is placed flat on the grave where the marker is inconspicuous and in an out-of-the-way position. The plate It is exposed for observation at all times. By simply swinging the cover II to open position, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, the photograph 1 of the deceased may be observed. Incidentally, the cover II may be of any other desired configuration. When in closed position, the cover II rests on the frame 6. If desired or necessary, access to the vault or chamber 4 may be had by removing the member 9 of the frame 6, after which the glass 8, the photograph l and the closure 5 may be removed. However, after the elements 5, "I and 8 are inserted in position, a suitable sealing medium is used in the frame 6 for preventing the entrance of air, Water, dirt, et cetera.

It is believed that the many advantages of a grave marker constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A grave marker of the character described comprising a concrete slab, a metallic plate recessed in said slab, a chamber integral with the plate and extending into the slab, a closure for the chamber countersunk in the plate, a frame of angular cross-section, for the reception of a photograph, projecting from the plate, said frame surrounding the closure in spaced relation thereto, a glass in the frame for protecting the photograph, and a cover for the glass and the photograph hingedly mounted on the plate and engageable, when in closed position, on the frame.

WILLIAM H. H. ZEN'IMYER. 

